NRL: Manly is Currently 14th in Power Rankings

[PONTIAN SEA EAGLE]

If brett plays & the rift between him & chez affect the side we'll struggle.If he's on the outer we'll finish top 4.

 

[Bearfax]

I'm afraid I agree here with Batty. The basic core of players we had that were worth a look are still there in Tom T., Walker, DCE, Taupau, Jake T. Api and Lussick. Stewart couldnt get out of first gear when he played, Matai only played 8 games, Lyon was a shadow of his former self, Lawrence was absent for almost the season, and Buhrer, the one player I'm sad we let go played just over half a season. We had hookers playing five eighth and half, forwards in the centres, a centre playing five eighth and barely a game with even close to the same combination week by week. And then Tom T and DCE playing on one leg each.

For 2017, we have a fit Tom T. and DCE. A better than competent five eighth, speed for the centres and wings, a couple of good looking young forwards, a top utility in Hastings and an extra year on Jamil Hoppa, Bainbridge, Tom Wright and Parker. We're unlikely to have any chance of being in the 4, but this side, sans injuries, look the goods to slip into the bottom half of the 8

 

[Killer03]

Written off before the season starts....I LIKE IT!

There never seems to be an in between with the media and us. We're either full on contenders or written off, the reality is at times we are somewhere in the middle, and I think that time is now.

To me we are a 7th to 10th team based on what people like @Mark from Brisbane have said. We've recruited pretty well, but the major factor is how long it will take for is to gel. If last year taught us anything it's that it doesn't happen overnight. I think we will be competitive for most of the year but the big thing to me is how we start. If we start well and the team (and especially Barrett) get some confidence, we could be looking at semi finals and a reasonably successful year A bad start and the pressure mounts obviously on Barrett but then on DCE and then the new recruits.

8th has to be the aim and week 1 of the semis. Anything more is a beautiful bonus.

 

[bob dylan]

I have us 12th or thereabouts. Dwagons and Knight probably below us.

I think Tigpies will be down there and the wheels will fall off the Eels again.

Of those teams that finished around us last year both Souths and Roosters will be much stronger and will press for the top 8.

I am tipping the Dogs to miss the top 10. They are a wreck beyond repair and will finish in the bottom 6.

 

[Freagle]

I

U guys r kidding Right???
Well....realistically probably should be on the money...
Always back the Seaeagles against the odds & recall a final against Canberra with 7-8 players out back in the 90's the boys went darn close.
Made me sick the 2nd rower Coyne scored 4 tries but that's the stuff that happens.
We have youth on side in 2017 that is often under rated imo...
Fact is...& you all know it....we lack a bit in a team that's had TIME to grow stability/Combination/Comradery....I guarantee there's a few things to enjoy in2017....Green to add stability & take heat off DCE who ppl will think has suddenly improved- forgetting he carried injuries all 2015/16....Hastings will become a fan Favourite- & I hated the F**ker....Lane to be a Massive X factor attacker on the edges...ohh & will add....Uate to come good & be our 1st or 2nd Top tryscorer..

I remember... Cliffy's last game. We had Collella and Cunningham as the worlds smallest front row partnership. Lost about 18-6. Cliffy trying to hold back tears, biting his moustache at the final siren. Colella dropped the ball about six times.

 

[Freagle]

I have us 12th or thereabouts. Dwagons and Knight probably below us.

I think Tigpies will be down there and the wheels will fall off the Eels again.

Of those teams that finished around us last year both Souths and Roosters will be much stronger and will press for the top 8.

I am tipping the Dogs to miss the top 10. They are a wreck beyond repair and will finish in the bottom 6.

AGree about the dogs... expect south side to be crap also. Dunno about roosters but can't see them doing much. WARRiors pack is too old and slow. Sharks will slide but not too much. Us to finish about 8-9.

 

[Freagle]

Forgot my main point. We have done exactly as we should - buy up every player on the market with potential, every player who needed a new start. GIVE Them a year or two and we may just have the nucleus of our next great team.

 

[globaleagle]

Finals ...here we come!!!!

#truesupporter
#goldmemberszonemember

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

'Power ranking'?? We also are at long odds with the betting agencies. The reason is we have done nothing - we lost our last 5 matches in 2016 and haven't added any current Origin or Test players.

But so what? That doesn't mean we will do nothing this year. We have a young squad with some size and some class dotted through it, If Barrett can coach them to play as a team we could certainly make the 8 this year.
If not we'll be 13th or 14th.

Round 1 will show us so much, really looking forward to it!

My prediction is we will make the 8, because Barrett can coach. I also expect another solid signing still to come, not necessarily before the season starts. The resurgence of the Sea Eagles has begun!

 

[Sheikheagle]

'Power ranking'?? We also are at long odds with the betting agencies. The reason is we have done nothing - we lost our last 5 matches in 2016 and haven't added any current Origin or Test players.

But so what? That doesn't mean we will do nothing this year. We have a young squad with some size and some class dotted through it, If Barrett can coach them to play as a team we could certainly make the 8 this year.
If not we'll be 13th or 14th.

Round 1 will show us so much, really looking forward to it!

My prediction is we will make the 8, because Barrett can coach. I also expect another solid signing still to come, not necessarily before the season starts. The resurgence of the Sea Eagles has begun!

Barrett can coach are you crazy. That's not allowed on here. Lol

 

[Woodsie]

@Mark from Brisbane On the point of taking time to gel, another way to view this is that last year all the preseason ball work would have included players in key positions that when the first shots were fired got injured and suddenly everything was being swapped around.

This year all the new boys have had FG experience, a preseason of team training and ball work, and personal motivation to hit the ground running. With the exception of a couple of outside backs and players competing for backrow spots, most positions are settled and would have been trained in, even the reggies.

A real concern for me is the absence of Lussick for the all important first 4 weeks. His missing turns a formidable pack into just a good pack. He may well have been the difference.

 

[Woodsie]

Tend to agree Woodsey. For me a lot of it is our settled spine.
Last year at the beginning of the season we were:
1) Trialling the failed Walker experiment.
2) Snake was in and out of the team.
3) Turbo was thrust into the limelight when Snake was out and this took some getting used to.
4) Parcell and Korisau were chopping and changing each week.
5) the list goes on... but I'm just talking about the spine.

That's almost your entire spine trying to gel on a week to week basis. Can't happen. Didn't happen.

This year Turbo is the Fullback. Blake Green a competent experienced half. Korisau has been assured the 9 position.

In my opinion we are leaps and bounds in front of where we were last year (touch wood no more injuries).

The biggest positive is we have a lot of hungry players all fighting for the other first grade spots. The players that make the team will have earned it.

Agree Batty, but the fact remains we are a couple of players away from being contenders ... my hope for this year is to finish 7th-10th and that we end it with at least 13 fair dinkum FG'ers having a dig ... add the cream in '18.

 

[Woodsie]

It'll depend on what all the new boys bring to the table.
- If Perrett, Sirronen and Lane all fire - my goodness our pack will be something special.
- If Hastings can settle into the team - wow - what a talented utility to throw in 15mins either side of half time.
- If Parker (I know he's your fav so I mentioned him first), Schuster, Kelly, Tom Wright can all find their feet in first grade - that's some serious talent.
- Combined with a much broader talent pool at Blacktown for coverage.

The players might already be there. 2017 could be better than some think....

What I luv about your cup half full is, it is like being in an American diner, it just keeps getting refilled.

 

[double hoops]

So we are the underdog. Yep 14th may well be accurate. But under the radar is perfect as well. This game can be over complicated. Think back to last year and there is just massive room for improvement in our entire teams fitness and discipline. Majorly improve those two areas alone, and I'll be surprised if we don't at least improve on last year.

Pressures on the beard.

 

[Fluffy]

roosters are up to 8th from 15th because of Michael Gorden and Luke Kelly

Nuff said

 

[bringbackbeaver]

About my Eagles... Definitely.

Life's too short to be negative Woodsey. Anyone can find negatives and nit pick.

What I'd love is to belt the Eels in Round 1. That'll help with the half full glass that's for sure.

@Batty @Woodsie I agree with both you boys for all the reasons stated. Baz in his second year r, a better draw, a stable spine and way more depth across the park essentially should put us in a much better place. People forget that last year we were 4:4 before we went into that horror scheduling of the 5 day turnarounds from which we didnt recover until late in the season. 3 games in 11 days at one point. What a joke. That's when the injuries mounted and we lost ALL momentum. We have a better team this year across the park. We do lack a little bit of leadership which is why I think we do need the BJs and Myles (cant believe I am saying this) in the side. I'm thinking top 8 finish is very very possible.

 

[Ralphie]

I think we will finish on 36 points!

For or against ?

 

[Killer03]

roosters are up to 8th from 15th because of Michael Gorden and Luke Kelly

Nuff said

To be fair they did have a horror run with Pearces antics and Cordner and JWH being injured for reasonable portions of the season. Throw in players like Lattrell Mitchell and Connor Watson getting some valuable experience last year and I think they should rise.

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

Something amiss if we cant finish well above 14th. Top 8 a real possibility for mine!

 

[Fluffy]

To be fair they did have a horror run with Pearces antics and Cordner and JWH being injured for reasonable portions of the season. Throw in players like Lattrell Mitchell and Connor Watson getting some valuable experience last year and I think they should rise.

true points that can be made about us as well, Walker will be much better back in the centres and Green a far better 5/8 and TT will be a lot better for the experience last year and a full off season training as fullback unlike last year.

With a month to go last year we were a chance at the top 8 even with all those injuries until Lyon got injured, this year we will be closer in balance to the team with Lyon at 5/8 which won more than they lost.